Special education students make up an important, large and growing segment of California's student population. From about 550,000 students in the mid-nineties, special education students number more than 675,000 students today, nearly 10 percent of California's student population. These students face a variety of challenges ranging from attention deficit or hyperactivity disorders to severe mental or physical impairments. The majority of special education students participate in the state's regular educational assessments, and under the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), schools are held accountable for their academic progress. In addition, beginning in 2005-06 special education high school students must take and pass the California High School Exit Exam to receive a diploma. California faces several challenges in providing special needs students with teachers who can help them to achieve these standards. One of the most significant problems is a severe shortage of credentialed special education teachers.

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